Krsna Kirtana Songs est. 2001 www.kksongs.org

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Esraj

The esraj is a bowed stringed instrument used in Northeast and central India. This is essentially a cross between a sitar, sarangi, and sarod. It contains the neck and fretting style of the sitar, the soundboard similar to the sarod, and the playing action of the sarangi. This instrument was created to alleviate the difficulties that arise when playing sarangi. For example, this instrument’s strings are all metal, as opposed to sarangi’s gut strings. A great majority of playing can be done on one string, as opposed to two or sometimes three strings with sarangi. The frets help one locate notes. While the moveable frets of the esraj are similar to those of a sitar, it does not arch very high and it does not function for ornamentation. Ornamentation is achieved by sliding up and down the fingerboard.

This instrument is most an accompanying instrument, although it is slowly gaining its reputation as a potential solo instrument.

AUDIO CLIP:

Esraj

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS:

KKSongs Esraj Tutorial

Songs Featuring Esraj on KKSongs:

Song: Krsna Tava Punya Habe Bhai (2007)

Song: Bolo Hari Bolo (2006)

Song: Srimac Caitanya Deva Tvam (2006)

Song: Jaya Radha Vallabha Jaya Radha Vinoda (2006)

Instrumental: “Separation” (2006)

Instrumental: “Bengali Monsoons Rain Kafi Colors” (2006)

Instrumental: “Morning Meditation” (2006)

Instrumental: “Vandanam” (2006)

Song: Jaya Jaya Jagannatha Sacira Nandana (2006)

Song: Vrndavana Ramya Sthana (2005)

Song: Nava Gaura Varama (2005)

Song: Parama Karuna (2005)

Song: Raga Adana Kirtan (2005)

Song: Sri Hari Vasare Hari Kirtana Vidhana (2005)

Song: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura Doyara Sagara (2005)

Song: Krsna Deva Bhavantam Vande (2005)

Instrumental: Raga Dhani (2004)